Prevalence of postpartum depression in Edirne, Turkey, and related factors

To estimate the community prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in Edirne, Turkey, and the potential risk factors for it.

The study was performed on mothers during the 6-week postpartum visit at home. A questionnaire that was devised to collect data on basic demographic information on the mothers and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were applied. A total of 210 mothers were interviewed between January and April 2002, and 178 of them whose data were complete were analyzed. We evaluated EPDS cutoff scores > or =12.

With an EPDs cutoff score of > or =12, the prevalence of PPD was 40.4%. Such factors as the husband's unemployment and a low educational level, living in a rented house, and having psychological or other problems during a previous pregnancy were the most significant risk factors for PPD. In the logistic model, the family's preference for a male infant in the previous pregnancy, female infant in the previous delivery and unwanted pregnancy were associated with PPD. The OR for these 3 variables and their 95% CI are, respectively, OR = 3.10, 95% CI 1.57-6.12; OR = 2.18, 95% CI 1.09-4.37, and OR = 2.84, 95% CI 1.22-6.61).

The prevalence of PPD was high. Although the risk factors were similar to those in other studies, other family members' mention of wanting a son can cause depression in the mothers.